The Winter Triathlon World Cup season opener was held yesterday in beautiful Valberg, France. Winter Triathlon veterans Sigi Bauer of Austria and Sigrid Mutscheller of Germany took home the gold medals in the men’s and women’s races, respectively.

Bauer, who finished second at last year’s Winter Triathlon World Championships, led from the starting gun to the finish line with a time of 1 hour 16 minutes and 48 seconds. Over a minute behind him was Andreas Svanebo of Sweden in second. A further minute back was Daniel Antonioli of Italy in third.

In the women’s race, 2007 Winter Triathlon World Champion, Sigrid Mutscheller of Germany, walked away with the win, crossing the finish line more then four minutes ahead of second place Sarka Grabmullerova of Czech Republic. In a small women’s field, third place went to Mutscheller’s team mate Anke Kullmann of Germany.